Half of all new cars to be electric by 2030 under Labor
Bill Shorten will push for half of all new cars sold in Australia to be electric by the end of the next decade, and penalise Australia's biggest polluters if they breach new emissions caps.
On the eve of the budget, the Opposition Leader has unveiled his plan to cut carbon emissions by almost half by 2030, under Labor's long-awaited climate change policy.
"We're focused on real cuts on emissions," shadow climate change minister Mark Butler said.
"That is our duty to our children and our grandchildren.
"That is consistent with our minimal position to keep global warming below two degrees."
Half of all car sales would be electric by 2030, under Labor. AAP
But Prime Minister Scott Morrison has labelled Labor's plan as "just another tax".
"What we've got here is a re-Rudd of failed policy that cost jobs, that cost businesses, that will cost Australians at least $9000 a year with the reckless targets that Bill Shorten will make law," Mr Morrison said.
According to the Climate Council, transport is Australia's third largest source of greenhouse gas pollution, contributing to almost 20 per cent of emissions.
If Labor wins power at the next federal election, they will implement the country's first vehicle policy, offering businesses incentives to go electric.
There's also a plan to crack down on Australia's biggest polluters over the next decade, with roughly 250 companies to face possible penalities for breaching new emissions caps, which will be phased in over time.
Land clearing laws will also be tightened, but the agricultural sector will be exempted from carbon targets.
Labor leader Bill Shorten has unveiled his climate policy. AAP
The detail is being unveiled the day before the budget, with Labor no doubt hoping the policy would overshadow any sweeteners on offer from the government.
On the flip side, the Coalition claim it's an attempt to bury the policy in budget coverage, and Labor's emissions target will wreck the economy.
“It is clearly a carbon tax,” Finance Minister Mathias Cormann said.
"What Labor has announced would make the economy weaker, would cost jobs and would harm families around Australia.”
TREASURER'S 'BETTER FUTURE' PITCH TO VOTERS
Labor argues its plan would create work.
"We can do this in a way that not only protects jobs in traditional industries, but also grows jobs," Mr Butler said.
"I expect the Liberal Party will run the same old tired scared campaign they ran ten years ago as an excuse for doing nothing on climate change."
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